2002 radiator fit problems.

["RICK BLEIER" <rsbleier@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a '76 '02 which someone tapped from the front.  My mechanic removed
the radiator etc and had it recored by someone from Albuquerque and it came
back with 3 rows which seems to be a good thing.  But he says the fan-fin
clearance is only 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

Curt Ingraham sent the following:

A 3-row core is a good thing.

On my car there is about 1/2 inch of fan-fin clearance, and I think
that is typical.  I can barely fit my finger tips between the fan
hub and the fins.  Your 1/8-1/4 inch is too little.

Here are some reasons why your clearance would be less:

1. New radiator core too thick.
2. Radiator not mounted tight against bulkhead.
3. Radiator reassembled incorrectly.
4. Radiator bulkhead pushed back.
5. Broken motor mounts.

The thickness of the stock radiator side brackets is about 1.5 inch.
The stock core is about 1.25 inch thick, and the 3-row cores I use
are 1.5 inch thick.  If your core is thicker than the radiator side
brackets, that is your problem.

Check that the radiator is tight against the radiator bulkhead.
Maybe the radiator was not reassembled correctly during the
recoring, such that the core and side brackets are farther back
than they were originally.  The front surface of the side
brackets should be flush against the bulkhead.

Perhaps the front end tap pushed the radiator bulkhead back.  I'll
check my Repair Manual to see if the bulkhead's position is given
in the body dimension drawing.  Meanwhile, look in the engine
compartment for distortion in the bulkhead or the front ends of
the fenders.

Check that the motor mounts are solid and secure.  Broken 2002
mounts are fairly common, and the tap could have broken one or
moved the engine forward against an already broken one.

My mechanic has checked everything he suggested to no avail.  Current
thinking includes cutting a fraction of an inch off each fan blade to
increase clearance or using no mechanical fan but a VERY big electric one in
place of the electric air conditioner fan.  He said that the new fan has the
same part number as the old one.

Any words of wisdom or does anyone know someone who has done it recently and
whom he can call?

Thanks.
Rick Bleier
240-1926
FAX 240-9272
rsbleier@domain.elided

------------------------------

End of bmw-digest V9 #1172
**************************